What Does Urinary Stress Incontinence Mean in Medical Terms?

Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, Edition 16, defines urinary stress incontinence as "the inability to to prevent escape of small amounts of urine during stress such as laughing, coughing, sneezing, lifting or sudden movement." It is not at all uncommon in young women especially during child bearing years, but there are other possible causes of the condition, such as heredity, menopause, urinary tract infections or urinary obstructions.

Types of Incontience

• Urinary stress incontinence is one of seven different types of incontinence: Stress, Urge, Over Active Bladder, Functional, Overflow, Mixed and Transient. The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearing House suggests visiting a physician who specializes in urinary incontinence for determination of type. Also, there are gynecologists, known as urogynecologist, who also specialize in incontinence and pelvic problems.

Considerations

• The Information Clearing House also suggests that most stress incontinence is commonly combined with urge incontinence. This combination of both types of incontinence is known as Mixed.

Heredity

• A 1996 study performed by Mushkat, Y. MD; Bukovsky, I. MD; Langer, R. MD for the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology suggests that there is a higher incidence of urinary stress incontinence between siblings (first degree relatives) and concluded that there might be a three-times higher degree of hereditary factors for the condition.

One Type of Treatment

• The most common type of treatment is easy and non-invasive and is called Kegel exercises. Kegels can be done anywhere at anytime, even while standing in line at the grocery store. The woman need only to squeeze and release the muscles of her buttocks. This exercise helps to strengthen the pelvic muscles and aids in better control of the bladder. It is commonly taught to new mothers postpartum.

Pessary Treatment

• Another treatment of urinary stress incontinence is a bit more invasive. A doctor or nurse inserts a stiff ring known as a pessary into the vagina. The device puts pressure on the vaginal wall and helps realign the urethra. However, a pessary may also increase the instances of urinary tract infections.

Injections or Surgery

• Two other treatments for urinary stress incontinence are injections of a collagen substance around the bladder opening, which will thicken tissue, thus reducing leakage. Surgery is also an option with three different kinds including retropubic and two different types of slings. Depending on the severity of the stress incontinence, patients should always discuss with their physicians thoroughly which option is right for them.